The PrivadoVPN apps are identical across all devices – a home screen with a large connect button, a server list, and a settings menu that opens in a separate window.
We would like to see more VPNs imitate this level of consistency across apps, but PrivadoVPN should offer more customization options.
Here’s a more detailed analysis of our experience using PrivadoVPN’s apps:
Desktop & Laptop (Windows & macOS)
We’ve been using PrivadoVPN’s desktop apps since 2019 and have witnessed considerable improvements to the user experience and design — mainly fixing bugs and making it smoother.
It remains incredibly simple, and we appreciate that the kill switch toggle sits front and center (with a useful tooltip) on the home screen – highlighting its importance.
However, one design gripe we have is that the settings menu opens a new window, so the experience becomes less contained, your desktop more cluttered, and you have to manually close the window.

PrivadoVPN has an ‘undock’ and drag feature and its settings open in a new window.
On macOS, we like the inclusion of a ‘dock to tray’ or ‘undock’ feature. This gives you the ability to drag and move the app or fix it to the tray, offering control over the PrivadoVPN experience.
However, you cannot manually resize the app, and the only other form of customization on macOS is an Auto Connect toggle.
On Windows, PrivadoVPN users can use split tunneling. This gives Windows users control to decide which apps and websites go through the VPN tunnel and which don’t. We’d like to see this included for macOS and iOS users, too.
Mobile (iPhone & Android)
PrivadoVPN on iOS is even more stripped back than the macOS version. The interface is identical, but there are even fewer settings. The only thing you can do is change protocol or turn on Auto Connect.

PrivadoVPN has split tunneling on Android (right) but not on iOS (left).
The Android app is slightly more advanced, with a ‘Smart Route’ (split tunneling) tool and kill switch.
PrivadoVPN’s Fire TV Stick App Now Works
In previous tests, PrivadoVPN’s Fire TV Stick app was buggy and did not work. However, PrivadoVPN has updated and fixed its app, and it now functions well to unblock streaming services, including US Netflix.
In the video below, we use PrivadoVPN’s Chicago server to unblock and stream US Netflix on Firestick:
PrivadoVPN has fixed its Fire TV Stick app and it now streams US Netflix.